October Is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about breast cancer, the importance of early detection, and steps you can take to better understand your risk.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer during their lifetime.

Regular screening helps detect breast cancer early. Mammograms can identify breast cancer before symptoms develop, when treatment is often more successful. The American Cancer Society recommends that women at average risk begin regular mammograms by age 45, with the option to start at age 40. Talk with your healthcare provider about when to begin screening and how often, based on your age and personal risk factors.

Understanding your personal risk is also important. Age, family history, certain inherited genetic changes, and personal medical history can influence your risk of developing breast cancer. If breast or ovarian cancer runs in your family, share that information with your healthcare provider. Some individuals may benefit from earlier screening or additional testing.

In addition to regular screenings, pay attention to changes in your breast health. If you notice a new lump or other unusual changes, talk with your healthcare provider. These changes don’t necessarily mean cancer, but you shouldn’t ignore them.

While not all risk factors are within your control, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and limiting alcohol consumption may help reduce your risk.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a good reminder to review your screening history, talk with your healthcare provider about your personal risk, and schedule any recommended screenings you may be due for.

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Episode 1: What Proactive Health Really Means | A 5-Part Micro-Learning Audio Series

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Most of us respond to health problems rather than anticipate them, but responding to problems isn’t the same as being healthy. This episode reframes proactive health as an early-warning system, not a lifestyle overhaul, and introduces the three lanes: lifestyle, preventive care, and monitoring.

WHAT IS PROACTIVE HEALTH?
A 5-Part Micro-Learning Audio Series | Balancing Life’s Issues Presented by CalCPA Health

ABOUT THE SERIES
This five-episode series shifts listeners from reactive to intentional health — covering the mindset, numbers, habits, and appointments that form a sustainable approach to wellness. Each episode runs approximately five minutes.

ABOUT YOUR TRAINER
Patti Iampietro, RD, is a Registered Dietitian licensed in Pennsylvania with over 30 years of experience in health education. She holds a BS in Health Education from Penn State, an AS in Dietetic Technology, and a BS in Nutrition from Rutgers University. Her career has spanned hospital-based acute care, stress management education, and nutritional counseling across a wide range of medical settings.

Patti currently operates a private practice specializing in eating disorder recovery, where she takes a whole-person, non-judgmental approach grounded in the belief that all foods can fit into a healthy diet. She also volunteers as a guest lecturer in the nursing program at the University of Pittsburgh and is pursuing certification as an Eating Disorder Specialist. Her philosophy: there is no single “perfect” diet — only the one that works for you.

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September is National Preparedness Month

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September is National Preparedness Month, a good reminder to think about how prepared you and your family would be if an emergency disrupted your normal routine.

Most of us know the basics: have food, water, flashlights, batteries, and other emergency supplies on hand. But your healthcare needs should be part of your emergency planning too.

If you take prescription medications, include them in your emergency supplies. The American Red Cross recommends keeping a seven-day supply of medications and necessary medical items in your emergency kit. The FDA also recommends keeping an up-to-date medication list and copies of your prescriptions. If you are concerned an emergency could make it hard to get to a pharmacy, talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider about planning ahead. Read more

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Understanding Your Deductible and Out-of-Pocket Maximum

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Your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum are two important numbers to understand when using your health plan, but it’s easy to confuse what each means.

Your deductible is the amount you generally pay for covered healthcare services before your health plan begins sharing the cost. Depending on your plan, some services may be covered before you meet the deductible, while others may require you to meet all or part of it first.

Your out-of-pocket maximum works differently. It is the most you may have to pay during the plan year for covered, in-network healthcare services that count toward the limit. Once you reach that amount, your health plan generally pays 100% of covered, in-network services for the remainder of the plan year.

Remember, reaching your deductible does not mean you are finished paying for healthcare. After meeting the deductible, you may still have copays or coinsurance until you reach your out-of-pocket maximum.

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What to Know Before Open Enrollment Begins

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Open enrollment is approaching, and for many people the process will look familiar: review the available plans, look at the monthly premiums, and decide whether to keep the same coverage for another year.

But the plan with the lowest premium isn’t necessarily the plan that will cost you the least, and the plan you have today may not be the best fit for you next year.

Before open enrollment begins, take some time to look at how you actually used your healthcare this year. Your claims, prescriptions, provider visits, and out-of-pocket expenses can tell you a lot about what to focus on when comparing plans.

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July is UV Safety Awareness Month

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Summer is a great time to enjoy longer days and spend more time outdoors. It is also a good time to think about protecting your skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays.

UV rays cause sunburns, premature aging, and an increased risk of skin cancer. While a sunburn may fade after a few days, repeated exposure to UV rays can have lasting effects on your skin.

The good news is that a few simple habits can make a difference:

  • Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.
  • Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses with UV protection, and lightweight long sleeves can help reduce sun exposure.
  • The sun’s rays are typically strongest between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., so try to limit sun exposure during these hours.
  • UV rays can pass through clouds, so sun protection is important even when it is overcast outside.
  • Become familiar with your skin and talk with your healthcare provider if you notice a new or changing mole, spot, or lesion.

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Why More People Are Using Telehealth

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Telehealth usage continues to grow as more individuals look for convenient and accessible healthcare options. While virtual care existed before COVID-19, the pandemic significantly accelerated its adoption as healthcare providers and patients looked for safe ways to access care remotely.

Telehealth visits have continued to increase in recent years, and many patients value the convenience and flexibility that virtual care provides. Telehealth is commonly used for primary care visits, behavioral health support, prescription refills, follow-up appointments, and other non-emergency concerns.

For many people, virtual visits reduce travel time and make it easier to fit appointments into busy schedules. A good example of when telehealth may be useful is for concerns such as conjunctivitis (pink eye), where an individual may receive care quickly without an in-person visit and have medication prescribed if necessary.

Many health plans now include telehealth services as part of their benefits, and virtual care can often be a lower-cost option than urgent care or emergency room visits for non-emergency conditions. CalCPA Health medical members have access to LiveHealth Online for virtual medical and behavioral health visits.

Individuals should check with their healthcare providers to see if telehealth options are available. It can also be helpful to review plan documents to understand how telehealth services are covered under a specific health plan, including costs and eligible services.

Understanding when telehealth is appropriate can help individuals make more informed decisions about where to receive care and may provide a convenient option for accessing healthcare when in-person visits are not necessary.

While telehealth can be helpful for many non-emergency concerns, individuals experiencing severe symptoms or medical emergencies should seek in-person or emergency care when appropriate.

Coverage and telehealth services may vary by plan and provider. Members should review their plan documents and confirm coverage details before receiving services.

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Episode 3: Just Surviving Is Not the Goal – Raising the Bar After Triggers and Trauma with Mark Ziegenbein (LIMHP, LMNP, LMFT)

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Getting through the day isn’t the goal — learning how to respond to life in a way that supports your wellbeing is. In this episode, we shift from survival mode to building awareness, perspective, and capacity when stress and triggers show up. You’ll hear how to match your response to what’s actually happening, instead of reacting automatically, and why preparation and support matter more than perfection. It’s about becoming more skillful, not doing it alone, and raising the bar for how we care for ourselves.

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Episode 2: Overhelmed but Functional with John Ebron (Master Mindset Coach, Behavioral Health Consultant)

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Many people continue to meet responsibilities at work and home while quietly carrying an overwhelming mental load. This episode explores the difference between trauma and system overload, helping listeners understand why feeling “overwhelmed but functional” is so common today. We discuss how stress often shows up physically before emotionally and why pushing through can sometimes make things worse. The episode also introduces practical strategies to help regulate the nervous system and restore balance during periods of overload.

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Episode 1: What Do We Mean When We Say Mental Health with Michelle Niehues (MS, LCMFT)

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Mental health doesn’t only appear in moments of crisis—it shows up in everyday experiences, interactions, and challenges. In this episode, we explore what mental health really means and why it’s a normal part of being human. The conversation focuses on how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors influence our daily functioning and relationships. By reframing mental health as something we all experience, this episode encourages more open and supportive conversations in the workplace and beyond.

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